Human rights activity in crisis conditions: ZMINA shares its experience at Council of Europe event

On October 24-25, in Dublin (Ireland), Liudmyla Yankina, the head of the department for the protection of civil society representatives at Human Rights Centre ZMINA, took part in a round table format meeting dedicated to human rights defenders who carry out their activities in crisis conditions. The event was organized by the Office of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. 

Since human rights defenders play an important role in the development of democratic societies in modern Europe and beyond, protect human rights, help victims of human rights violations to bring state authorities to justice, they are key partners of Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović and her Office. At the same time, the Commissioner has an obligation to support human rights defenders in Europe as their protection and the creation of an environment favorable for their work is at the core of her mandate. 

In many Council of Europe member states, human rights defenders are exposed to serious risks to their life and freedom, as well as systematically face harassment, physical attacks, and other numerous obstacles. Therefore, during the meeting, human rights defenders from more than 20 countries exchanged experiences with their colleagues to strengthen interaction and shared ways of securing their work. 

The situation in Ukraine has become even more complicated due to Russia’s full-scale invasion. Because of this, according to ZMINA, more than a hundred active Ukrainians suffered from persecution and torture, were killed due to indiscriminate shelling and extrajudicial executions in war zones and under Russian occupation. 

According to Liudmyla Yankina, participation in such events plays the role of human rights diplomacy when participants from Ukraine as direct witnesses of the war can speak live about current problems and ask the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights and member states for support and a joint search for solutions. 

Liudmyla Yankina (on the left) and Mary Lawlor (on the right)

In addition, Liudmyla Yankina was once again able to enlist the support of Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, who has been maintaining close contact with Human Rights Centre ZMINA for a long time and provides support within the framework of her mandate.